PIC-KIT3

Low-cost programmer / debugger

Price

29.95EUR

10 - 49 pcs

26.96 EUR

50 - 10000 pcs

23.96 EUR

In stock

PIC-KIT3 is a low cost programmer/debugger. With its 55 x 55 mm (2.16 x 2.16") dimensions and only 30 grams of weight (excluding the ICSP cable and packing). This little device fits your pocket and is very convenient to carry around when working in field. The PIC-KIT3 is a complete replacement of the Microchip's original PICkit3 and with it you can do everything you could do with the original PICkit3.

DOCUMENTS

HARDWARE

SOFTWARE

MPLAB-IDE - you can download the latest version from Microchip's web site.

FAQ

What USB cable do I need?

You should have a USB type A-B cable to connect to a PC. All PC USB hosts have a USB-A connector while the PIC-KIT3 has a USB-B connector so the cable should be a USB A-to-B type. Note that such a cable is not included in the package.

Hello, I use both MPLABX and MPLAB 8.xx. Recently, the "programmer-to-go" to go function stopped working in MPLAB 8, everything else works fine. The error I get is: "PK3Err0033: 4 bytes expected, 0 bytes received". What can I do?

This is a known problem that affects both the original Microchip PICKit3 and Olimex PIC-KIT3. It was caused by the newest firmware released. Most typically the problem appears after you have used new version of MPLAB X or MPLAB IPE. You PIC-KIT3 got automatically upgraded with a firmware version that is no longer compatible with MPLAB 8. The versions incompatible with MPLAB 8 are firmware versions 1.3x.xx and newer (1.35.16, for example). With such a firmware you will not be able to make proper connections to targets after an AP update nor you would be able to use programmer-to-go in any MPLAB prior ot MPLAB X. The PIC-KIT3 would still work fine in MPLABX and MPLAB IPE (and the programmer-to-go would also work fine).

So if you want to use MPLAB 8 you would need to manually revert to firmware version 1.28.90 (or any 1.2x.xx version). This can be done in MPLAB 8:

1. Navigate to Programmer -> Select Programmer -> PICKit32. Deal with any pop up message making sure there is some power to the PIC-KIT3; ignore any reports for errors they doesn't matter at this point3. Navigate to "Programmer" -> "Settings" (at the bottom); click "Configuration" tab; Disable "Auto Download Latest Firmware" and click "Manual Download". Point the pop-up to PK3FW_012890.jam (or similar as long as it is is located in the MPLAB 8 folders), by default located in C:\Program Files (x86)\Microchip\MPLAB IDE\PICkit 3. Click "OK" and wait for upload.4. If there are problems or the update takes more than a few minutes disconnect the PIC-KIT3 from the USB, connect it again and try the firmware update again. 5. Upon successfull revert you would see "Firmware Suite Version...... 01.28.90" instead of "Firmware Suite Version...... 01.35.16".

Now you can use MPLAB 8 as previously and the programmer-to-go button would work.

What should I know when connecting the PIC-KIT3 to a target board?

It's very important that your target PIC MCLR is not connected directly to the VCC! During programming/debugging MCLR goes as high as 13VDC and if your target MCLR is connected directly to the target VCC, you will blow either the PIC-KIT3 or the target board. Always use a 10K pullup resistor from MCLR to VCC.

What are the LEDS for?

There are two LEDS – one yellow LED named ACTIVE and one double-color LED named STAT (red/green colors). The yellow LED shows USB activity – e.g. when the device is connected to the USB properly; when you are powering the board from an external source via the power jack this LED would blink. The STAT LED shows RED color when you are connected to MPLAB or the image inside the EEPROM is ready for operation. When there is programming data is transferred, the double LED should blink in an orange color (red and green).

Do not use the "programmer-to-go" button when there is no image in the OLIMEX PIC-KIT3 or MICROCHIP PIC-KIT3 because that might put your microcontroller in an irrecoverable state. We have tested the mentioned scenario and we can confirm that it destroys the PIC32 chips (using both our and the original Microchip PICKIT3). We don't take responsibility if you break your chip that way. For more info check the following: www.microchip.com/forums/m635420.aspx.